Overloaded washing machine sets off Kent Hall fire alarm

The wailing of sirens had just ceased as a fire engine pulled into the parking lot of Kent Hall. Students, having recently evacuated the building, crowded the grounds trying to get a peek at the commotion.

Early afternoon  Monday, smoke from a Kent Hall washing machine crowded the basement of the facility, prompting a fire alarm to alert the Chadron  Volunteer Fire Department. 

Nobody was injured in the incident, and the washing machine was the only piece of damaged property. 

According to CSC Security Supervisor Mark Hunt, the washing machine was overloaded with clothes and couldn’t function properly. This caused a belt to burn out on the machine, creating the heavy plumes of smoke. He then explained that maintenance staff began venting the room immediately, and fire-fighters helped them finish when they arrived. 

“They were able to vent it pretty fast as far as getting the smoke out,” Hunt said. 

It is uncertain if the entire machine will need to be replaced or just the broken belt. 

“Kids just need to not do three weeks of laundry in one machine,” he cautioned.